Tender Grilled Veal Cutlets (Polish Style) | Arteflame

Introduction

There is a specific magic that happens when delicate veal meets the intense heat of an outdoor fire. Imagine the aroma of browning butter mingling with the scent of wood smoke on a crisp evening. These Polish-style Kotlety Cielęce are the ultimate comfort food—golden and crisp on the outside, incredibly tender on the inside, and finished with a bright pop of fresh dill. It is a dish that bridges the gap between Old World tradition and modern outdoor cooking.

Old World Charm, Backyard Ease

I adore this recipe because it feels incredibly sophisticated yet comes together in minutes. Unlike heavy steaks that require long cook times, veal is lean and fast. Cooking it on the Arteflame flat top allows you to achieve that restaurant-quality sear usually reserved for cast iron skillets, all while soaking up a subtle, smoky flavor that elevates the natural sweetness of the meat. It is the perfect centerpiece for a Sunday lunch that feels fancy but requires minimal effort.

Kitchen Wisdom

• Pound it Thin: Uniformity is key. Ensure your cutlets are pounded to an even 1/4 inch thickness so they cook rapidly without drying out.
• Watch the Heat: Veal is delicate. Avoid the scorching center of the grill; stick to the medium-heat zone to get a golden crust without burning the butter coating.

Make It Your Own

If you cannot find veal, boneless pork loin is a fantastic substitute; just be sure to pound it very thin to mimic the texture. For a dairy-free version, swap the butter for ghee or high-quality avocado oil to maintain a high smoke point without sacrificing the sear.

Ingredients

The Meat

• 4 Veal cutlets (about 6-8 oz each), pounded thin to about 1/4 inch thickness
• Sea salt (to taste)
• Freshly cracked black pepper (to taste)

The Searing Mix

• 1/2 cup All-purpose flour (for dusting)
• 1 tsp Sweet paprika (optional, for color)
• 4 tbsp Unsalted butter (high quality)
• 2 tbsp Olive oil (to prevent butter from burning)

The Garnish

• 1 Lemon, cut into wedges
• 1 small bunch Fresh dill, chopped fine

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Veal

1. Remove the veal cutlets from the refrigerator 20 minutes before cooking to allow them to reach room temperature. This ensures even cooking.
2. Place the cutlets between two sheets of plastic wrap. Using a meat mallet, gently pound the meat until it is uniformly thin, approximately 1/4 inch thick. This tenderizes the meat and ensures a quick sear.
3. Pat the veal dry with paper towels. Season generously on both sides with sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper.
4. Lightly dredge each cutlet in the flour mixed with paprika, shaking off any excess. You want a very thin coating just to help build a crust.

Step 2: Fire Up the Arteflame

1. Build a medium-sized fire in the center of your Arteflame grill. Let it burn down until you have a solid bed of coals and the cooktop is hot.
2. Focus your cooking on the flat steel cooktop (the plancha), not the center grill grate. You are looking for a surface temperature suitable for sautéing, roughly 350°F to 400°F.
3. Clean the cooktop surface with a scrape and apply a thin layer of oil to season the steel.

Step 3: Sear the Cutlets

1. Melt the butter and olive oil together directly on the flat cooktop surface where you intend to cook. The oil prevents the butter from burning too quickly.
2. Place the veal cutlets onto the hot butter-oil mixture. You should hear an immediate sizzle.
3. Grill for 2 to 3 minutes per side. The flour dusting should turn a rich, golden brown. Because veal is lean and thin, it cooks very rapidly. Do not overcook.

Step 4: Finish and Serve

1. Once both sides are golden and the meat is cooked through, move the cutlets to the cooler outer edge of the grill to keep warm if you are cooking in batches.
2. Squeeze fresh lemon juice over the hot cutlets while they are still on the grill to deglaze the surface slightly and infuse the meat with citrus zest.
3. Remove from the grill and immediately sprinkle with a generous amount of fresh chopped dill.

Tips

Grilling veal requires a delicate touch compared to hearty beef steaks. The most critical tip for success on the Arteflame is heat management. Veal is lean and lacks the intramuscular fat (marbling) that protects beef from drying out. Avoid the hottest center ring of the cooktop; instead, utilize the middle zone where the heat is consistent but not scorching. This mimics the medium-high heat of a stove burner perfectly. Additionally, pounding the meat is not just for texture—it ensures the cutlets are flat, maximizing contact with the Arteflame's griddle surface for an even, golden crust. Finally, if you are cooking for a large group, use the outer edges of the grill as a warming station. This allows you to serve everyone simultaneously without the first batch getting cold or dry. Always use fresh dill; dried dill simply cannot replicate the aromatic brightness required for this Polish classic.

Variations

While this recipe focuses on a lighter, flour-dusted style perfect for the grill, Polish cuisine offers several variations on the classic veal cutlet that you can adapt for your Arteflame. Customizing the toppings or the breading can completely transform the flavor profile to suit your seasonal cravings.

• Schnitzel Style (Panierowany): Dip the veal in flour, then beaten egg, and finally breadcrumbs before grilling. You will need significantly more butter and oil on the flat top to shallow-fry them properly.
• With Mushroom Sauce (Sos Grzybowy): Grill the veal as directed, then top with a creamy sauce made from wild mushrooms (porcini or chanterelles), heavy cream, and onions, prepared in a cast-iron skillet directly on the grill.
• Pork Substitute (Schabowy): If veal is unavailable, use boneless pork loin chops. Pound them very thin and cook slightly longer to ensure they are done.
• The "Holsteiner" Twist: Top the grilled cutlet with a fried egg and anchovies for a hearty, savory variation often found in European border regions.
• Herbed Butter Finish: Instead of lemon juice, top the hot steak with a compound butter mixed with parsley, garlic, and lemon zest right before serving.

Best pairings

To create a truly authentic Polish dining experience, the sides are just as important as the main protein. The richness of the butter-fried veal needs acidity and starch to balance the palate. On the Arteflame, you can easily prepare these sides alongside the meat.

• Mizeria (Cucumber Salad): This is non-negotiable in a Polish home. Thinly sliced cucumbers mixed with sour cream, lemon juice, sugar, and dill. The cold crunch contrasts perfectly with the hot veal.
• Dill Potatoes: Boil small new potatoes (or roast them on the flat top grill) and toss them with melted butter and heaps of fresh dill.
• Grilled Beets (Buraczki): Wrap whole beets in foil and roast them in the coals, or slice them and sear on the flat top. Serve grated with a touch of horseradish.
• Sauerkraut (Kapusta Kiszona): Braised sauerkraut with bits of bacon adds a sour punch that cuts through the richness of the veal.

Conclusion

Reimagining Polish Grilled Veal Cutlets for the Arteflame grill bridges the gap between traditional European comfort food and the joy of American outdoor cooking. This method honors the delicate texture of the veal while imparting a subtle, wood-fired character that a kitchen pan simply cannot achieve. The result is a meal that feels both rustically elegant and incredibly satisfying. Whether you are of Polish heritage looking to take your grandmother's recipes outside, or a grilling enthusiast eager to try something beyond burgers and brats, this dish delivers on all fronts. Gather your friends, pour a crisp pilsner or a chilled vodka, and enjoy the simple pleasure of good meat, good fire, and great company. Smacznego!